Tawam Hospital leads campaign as serious breast cancer rates soar in UAE

The campaign is the highlight of the group's participation in Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October but will continue throughout the year.

In the UAE, the number of serious cases - Stage III and Stage IV cancers - being diagnosed is increasing. Stage III and IV cancers are those that have become invasive. Stage IV cancers are metastatic, indicating the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the lymph nodes.

'The fact that doctors are diagnosing more cases of Stage of III and IV cancers tells us less about the spread of the disease, and more about the behaviour of those in at risk communities,' said Michael Heindel, CEO of Tawam Hospital.

When doctors see more of the late stage cancers, it shows us that women are not being proactive with their health, having routine mammograms, or performing self examinations. Stage III and IV cancers are fundamentally more difficult to treat than Stage I and II cancers, and in the end, the delay is only adding more pain to the process.

'By taking action to ensure early detection, women make great strides against the disease by dramatically increasing their odds of survival. Stage 0, I and II cancers have a nearly 100 per cent survival rate. By the time a cancer is diagnosed in Stage III or IV the survival rate has dropped to as low as 20 per cent,' said Mr. Heindel. 'Over the years we have learned that the fundamental secret to combating and beating breast cancer is early detection.'

Johns Hopkins Medicine and Tawam Hospital are at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer both globally and in the UAE. Mr Heindel said Breast Cancer Awareness month offers an effective platform to speak to UAE women and encourage them to be more aware of the need for early detection. He added: 'The efforts achieved and money raised during the month of October are important components of the fight against breast cancer.

'But as this disease affects the lives of countless women in the UAE and the world, what we need is breast cancer awareness and prevention that lasts throughout the year.'

Nearly one out of every eight women will be affected by breast cancer at some point in their lives. Women under 30, who typically are the least engaged in terms of preventive healthcare, have a 1 in 230 chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

'Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns have done a great deal to increase knowledge about the disease among women over 40,' said Heindel. 'Many of these women have routine mammograms, perform self examinations on a routine basis, and are proactive with their health. Women over 40, however, are not the only 'at risk' group and younger women, even those under 30 need to get involved in the fight against breast cancer.'

The fight against breast cancer is an ongoing battle, waged by physicians, patients and families from every walk alike. The risk factors behind breast cancer are largely genetic and not isolated by economic or social backgrounds.